A linking mechanism

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a linking mechanism ( 1 ) comprising a connection member ( 2 ) suitable to be placed between the two cooling devices (C 1,  C 2 ) situated side by side, a first support member ( 3 ) mounted on the side wall of one of the cooling devices (C 1 ) and a second support member ( 103 ) mounted on the side wall of the other cooling device (C 2 ).

The present invention relates to a linking mechanism that connects two or more cooling devices.

In the state of the art, various methods exist for grouping two or more cooling devices. For example, connection holes are formed on the outer surfaces of the cooling devices desired to be connected and the cooling devices are held together by means of a connector placed on the connector holes. However, since the grouped cooling devices are deformed when desired to be used separately, the esthetic appearance thereof is deteriorated. Moreover, the insulation thickness at the portions at which the cooling devices grouped in the said manner are deformed decreases and consequently the cooling performance of the cooling device decreases.

In the state of the art Great Britain Patent Document No. GB1387339, a connection member is explained which provides the grouping of two cooling devices.

The aim of the present invention is the realization of a linking mechanism that enables two or more cooling devices to be firmly grouped without forming any deformation on the cooling devices.

The linking mechanism realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof, comprises a first support member mounted on the side wall of one of the cooling devices, a second support member mounted on the side wall of the other cooling device and a connection member that connects the first support member and the second support member to each other by being passed therebetween when the cooling devices are brought side by side.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the support members can be detached from the side walls of the cooling devices when desired. Thus, when the cooling devices are desired to be used separately, the volume occupied by the cooling devices decreases.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the support members are mounted to the cooling devices by means of an adhesion means.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the support members are bracket-shaped. Thus, the support member can be easily mounted on the cooling device.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the linking mechanism comprises extensions that enable the position of the support members in the vertical direction to be determined by being mounted on the upper surface of the cooling devices disposed at the upper portion of the support members.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the linking mechanism comprises a stopper that enables the position of the support members in the direction of the depth of the cooling device to be determined. By means of the stopper, the support members mounted on the cooling devices are enabled to be aligned with each other.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the protrusions disposed on the side surfaces of the connection member are passed through the channels disposed on the support members. The channels and the protrusions enable the connection member to be mounted to the support member by being slid. By the support members being brought side by side, the channels form housings and the support members are enabled to be interlocked by the protrusions being seated into the housings.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the linking mechanism comprises screws mounted on the short edge of the connection member close to the front walls of the cooling devices. Thus, the connection member is prevented from moving inside the support members.

In a derivative of this embodiment, the screw and the screw path extend along the connection member.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the connection member is symmetric.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the first support member and the second support member are identical. Thus, the stock tracking of the support members is facilitated.

The cooling devices connected by means of the linking mechanism can be moved via a single cooling device. As the user moves one of the cooling devices, the other cooling device also moves automatically.

The model embodiments relating to a linking mechanism realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention are illustrated in the attached figures, where:

FIG. 1—is the exploded view of a linking mechanism in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2—is the front view of a linking mechanism in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3—is the perspective view of a linking mechanism in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4—is the perspective view of a cooling device, a first support member and a connection member in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5—is the partial rear view of a cooling device, a first support member and a connection member in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6—is the partial rear view of two cooling devices and a linking mechanism in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7—is the partial rear view of two cooling devices and two support members in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8—is the view of detail A in FIG. 1.

FIG. 9—is the partial view of the cooling devices and the linking mechanism in an embodiment of the present invention.

The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

-   1. Linking mechanism -   2. Connection member -   3. ,103. Support member -   4. , 104. Extension -   5. Stopper -   6. , 106. Channel -   7. Housing -   8. Protrusion -   9. Screw path -   10. Screw

The linking mechanism (1) comprises a connection member (2) suitable to be placed between the two cooling devices (C1, C2) situated side by side.

The linking mechanism (1) of the present invention comprises a first support member (3) mounted on the side wall of one of the cooling devices (C1), a second support member (103) mounted on the side wall of the other cooling device (C2) and a connection member (2) that connects the first support member (3) and the second support member (103) to each other by being passed therebetween when the cooling devices (C1, C2) are brought side by side.

The user positions the cooling devices (C1, C2) he/she desires to connect side by side such that a distance remains therebetween. The user places the support members (3, 103) on the side walls of the cooling devices (C1, C2) facing each other so as to be aligned with each other. Afterwards, he/she connects the cooling devices (C1, C2). When the cooling devices (C1, C2) are brought to the said position, the connection member (2) is passed between the support members (3, 103) by being slid. Thus, the user can easily group the cooling devices (C1, C2) and move two or more cooling devices (C1, C2, . . . ) together.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the support members (3, 103) are detachably mounted on the cooling devices (C1, C2). When the user desires to separate the cooling devices (C1, C2) he/she grouped by means of the linking mechanism (1), he/she detaches the connection member (2) from between the support members (3, 103). When the connection member (2) is detached, the cooling devices (C1, C2) can be separated. Since the support members (3, 103) can be detached from the surfaces on which they are mounted, the esthetic appearance of the cooling devices (C1, C2) is not deteriorated when desired to be used alone by being separated from each other.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the linking mechanism (1) comprises support members (3, 103) that are adhered on the side wall of the each of the cooling devices (C1, C2), which are desired to be connected, facing each other. In this embodiment, the support members (3, 103) are adhered on the side surfaces of the cooling device (C1, C2) by means of double-sided tape.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the support members (3, 103) are bracket-shaped. In this embodiment, the support members (3, 103) are placed on the edges of the cooling device (C1, C2) that connect the top wall and the side wall thereof.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the linking mechanism (1) comprises an extension (4, 104) disposed on the top edge of the support member (3, 103) and that enables the position of the support member (3, 103) on the side wall of the cooling device (C1, C2) in the vertical direction to be determined by extending towards the top wall of the cooling device (C1, C2). By means of the extension (4, 104), the support members (3, 103) mounted separately on the cooling devices (C1, C2) remain in the aligned position when the cooling devices (C1, C2) are brought side by side.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the linking mechanism (1) comprises a stopper (5) disposed on one of the short edges of the connection member (2) and that enables the position of the support member (3) in the direction of the depth of the cooling device (C1) to be determined. In this embodiment, before the first support member (3) is mounted on the cooling device (C1), the connection member (2) is fitted over the first support member (3). While the support member (3) is mounted on the cooling device (C1), the stopper (5) is aligned with the rear wall of the cooling device (C1) and the position of the first support member (3) in the direction of the depth of the cooling device (C1) is determined. After the first support member (3) is mounted on the cooling device (C1), the connection member (2) is detached from the first support member (3). Before the second support member (103) is mounted on the other cooling device (C2), the connection member (2) is fitted over the second support member (103). The second support member (103) is also mounted on the cooling device (C2) in the same manner.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the linking mechanism (1) comprises at least one channel (6, 106) disposed on each support member (3, 103) and protrusions (8) extending along the connection member (2) so as to protrude beyond the side surfaces of the connection member (2), suitable to be placed into a housing (7) formed by the channels (6, 106) aligned with each other when the cooling devices (C1, C2) are brought side by side. Thus, the support members (3, 103) are enabled to be connected.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the linking mechanism (1) comprises at least one screw path (9) arranged on the connection member (2) and at least one screw (10) that provides the fixing of the position of the connection member (2) between the first support member (3) and the second support member (103) by being mounted to the screw path (9) after the connection member (2) is inserted between the support members (3, 103). The connection member (2) is placed between the support members (3, 103) so as to move between the support members (3, 103). By the position of the connection member (2) being fixed, the position of the cooling devices (C1, C2) in the back and forth direction is prevented from changing.

In a derivative of the present invention, the screw path (9) and the screw (10) extend along the support members (3, 103). Thus, the connection member (2) is firmly fixed.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the connection member (2) is symmetric. Thus, flexibility of utilization is provided.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the support members (3, 103) are identical. Thus, ease of production is provided.

By means of the present invention, two or more cooling devices (C1, C2, . . . ) can be grouped without being subjected to deformation. The user can perform the process of grouping the cooling devices (C1, C2, . . . ) without requiring the maintenance personnel and this situation increases customer satisfaction. 

1. A linking mechanism (1) comprising a connection member (2) suitable to be placed between the two cooling devices (C1, C2) situated side by side, characterized by—a first support member (3) mounted on the side wall of one of the cooling devices (C1),—a second support member (103) mounted on the side wall of the other cooling device (C2) and—a connection member (2) that connects the first support member (3) and the second support member (103) to each other by being passed therebetween when the cooling devices (C1, C2) are brought side by side.
 2. A linking mechanism (1) as in claim 1, characterized by the support members (3, 103) detachably mounted on the cooling devices (C1, C2).
 3. A linking mechanism (1) as in claim 1, characterized by the support members (3, 103) that are adhered on the side wall of the each of the cooling devices (C1, C2), which are desired to be connected, facing each other.
 4. A linking mechanism (1) as in claim 1, A linking mechanism (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the bracket-shaped support members (3, 103).
 5. A linking mechanism (1) as in claim 1, characterized by an extension (4, 104) disposed on the top edge of the support member (3, 103) and that enables the position of the support member (3, 103) on the side wall of the cooling device (C1, C2) in the vertical direction to be determined by extending towards the top wall of the cooling device (C1, C2).
 6. A linking mechanism (1) as in claim 1, characterized by a stopper (5) disposed on one of the short edges of the connection member (2) and that enables the position of the support member (3) in the direction of the depth of the cooling device (C1) to be determined.
 7. A linking mechanism (1) as in claim 1, characterized by at least one channel (6, 106) disposed on each support member (3, 103) and protrusions (8) extending along the connection member (2) so as to protrude beyond the side surfaces of the connection member (2), suitable to be placed into a housing (7) formed by the channels (6, 106) aligned with each other when the cooling devices (C1, C2) are brought side by side.
 8. A linking mechanism (1) as in claim 1, characterized by at least one screw path (9) disposed on the connection member (2) and at least one screw (10) that provides the fixing of the position of the connection member (2) between the first support member (3) and the second support member (103) by being mounted to the screw path (9) after the connection member (2) is inserted between the support members (3, 103).
 9. A linking mechanism (1) as in claim 8, characterized by the screw path (9) and the screw (10) extending along the support members (3, 103).
 10. A linking mechanism (1) as in claim 1, characterized by the connection member (2) which is symmetric.
 11. A linking mechanism (1) as in claim 1, characterized by two support members (3, 103) which are identical.
 12. A linking mechanism (1) as in claim 2, characterized by the support members (3, 103) that are adhered on the side wall of the each of the cooling devices (C1, C2), which are desired to be connected, facing each other.
 13. A linking mechanism (1) as in claim 12, A linking mechanism (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the bracket-shaped support members (3, 103).
 14. A linking mechanism (1) as in claim 13, characterized by an extension (4, 104) disposed on the top edge of the support member (3, 103) and that enables the position of the support member (3, 103) on the side wall of the cooling device (C1, C2) in the vertical direction to be determined by extending towards the top wall of the cooling device (C1, C2).
 15. A linking mechanism (1) as in claim 14, characterized by a stopper (5) disposed on one of the short edges of the connection member (2) and that enables the position of the support member (3) in the direction of the depth of the cooling device (C1) to be determined.
 16. A linking mechanism (1) as in claim 15, characterized by at least one channel (6, 106) disposed on each support member (3, 103) and protrusions (8) extending along the connection member (2) so as to protrude beyond the side surfaces of the connection member (2), suitable to be placed into a housing (7) formed by the channels (6, 106) aligned with each other when the cooling devices (C1, C2) are brought side by side.
 17. A linking mechanism (1) as in claim 16, characterized by at least one screw path (9) disposed on the connection member (2) and at least one screw (10) that provides the fixing of the position of the connection member (2) between the first support member (3) and the second support member (103) by being mounted to the screw path (9) after the connection member (2) is inserted between the support members (3, 103).
 18. A linking mechanism (1) as in claim 17, characterized by the screw path (9) and the screw (10) extending along the support members (3, 103).
 19. A linking mechanism (1) as in claim 18, characterized by the connection member (2) which is symmetric.
 20. A linking mechanism (1) as in claim 19, characterized by two support members (3, 103) which are identical. 